Today
I participated in an interview skills workshop for high-school students in the
Philadelphia public school system. The program is a joint effort of the Philadelphia Society
of People and Strategy (PSPS), of which I am a member, and a local non-profit
that provides career-focused training for public school students. The workshop
has been around for a while and is very well structured. Honestly, a
facilitator couldn’t ask for better.
I like working with teenagers. Speaking with teens about jobs and
careers is very satisfying, and I appreciate the chance to make a positive
impact on a young person and in turn, be infected with her enthusiasm about
what the future of work holds before she gets the stuffing kicked out of her
by corporate America as she embarks on these important first steps toward
her calling.
There were twenty-nine students and three facilitators, which was
good because it’s a packed program with lots to cover. We discussed why hiring
managers request interviews, how to prepare for interviews, how to dress for
interviews, common interview questions (including the dreaded “Tell me about yourself”),
and how to follow-up after an interview. I think I learned as much as the
students, as the other facilitators are very knowledgeable. Other than the pleasure
to be had from imparting my considerable wisdom (insert air quotes here) I had
the best fun role playing the interviewee from hell, who chews gum, accepts a
personal call during the interview, and talks more about her aspirations to be
a rap star (all while wearing a baseball cap) than on staying focused about the
position in question. Another facilitator acted as the interviewer, and I’m
thinking that she and I might have a future as an improve duo. She caught all
my curve balls, and I know she had no idea what I was going to say because I
was making it up as I went along. The students laughed during parts of this interview,
but they clapped after my “good interview,” which I choose to believe means
they really wanted to see me succeed. How sweet!
Afterwards, the students broke into small groups, and each had a
chance to role play as well. When we finished critiquing the “performances,” we
chatted a bit about interviewing in general, and one of the students said she
hates talking to most strangers and there must be something wrong with her.
What?! Not so, I told her, you may be introverted,
and then I gave a quick explanation of the difference between extroversion and
introversion, and a couple of other students at the table said they might be
introverted, too! Look, if I can save one young person the discomfort of
feeling like a freak because she’d rather spend some time alone than party, I
have no problem with that. Introverts unite!
After all that, I had a low moment as we were leaving and I addressed
one of the students by the wrong name. I think I beat myself up about that for
at least an hour, because that’s how neurotic I am. I’m sorry Edward! (Now, how
could I forget that his name is Edward?)
Speaking of which, I’ve decided that I’m going to emulate my Edward, who is terrible at names and
so calls every man “guy.” In the past, I’ve made fun of Ed for saying, just as
friendly as you please, “Hey guy!” when I know he has no idea who this person
is, but now I’m starting to see the benefit of this strategy. So if I’m not one-hundred
percent sure I know your name, I’m not going to guess. You will be “guy” from
here on out. And if you’re female … well, I haven’t figured that out yet.
All in all, I’m glad that I participated in this workshop, and I
hope the students learned something valuable. It was a lot of fun, and I met
some great people. And to quote one of my least favorite songs (oh yeah, I hate
this song real bad), “The children are our future.” Seriously, when we help
them, we help us all.
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